Bad idea getting involved in the scuffle.
Noble? Maybe. But still a bad idea.
The intent is to settle down the situation and make things all nice and happy, but by introducing one or two guns to a fight that you didn't have to engage is just foolish.
Okay, let's say it did get completely out of hand once you and your friend started "helping".
You end up shooting someone, sure, maybe he was drawing down on you at that instant, but the fact remains, AND WILL BE POINTED OUT IN COURT, that you did not have to participate in the first place, and since you knew you had a gun, you knew that you were entering a potential shooting, even if the others did not know you were packing.
Regardless of the outcome you experienced, you did inadvertantly escalate the situation.
You don't think so?
Really? Then what exactly do you call it when a two person pushing match becomes a four person scuffle with AT LEAST two guns present?
Sounds like an escalation to me. And it was willing. That is the kicker. You had the chance to leave, but stayed and added a gun to the fight.
Even if it was never drawn or fired, it WAS added to the fight since you, as a participant in the fight, were aware of its presence and you had access to it.
Unless you, your loved one(s), or an obviously-overpowered obviously-innocent person is in IMMEDIATE risk of death or great bodily harm, it is STUPID to get involved unless you have no other recourse, like leaving.
But, if you want to stick your neck out and possibly go to jail, or shoot someone, or get shot... then go ahead, keep looking for and engaging trouble.
Again, I respect the intent of your intervention, but it really wasn't a good idea.
-Kframe